I tell her it was no one, but she only raises her brows at me accusingly. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
“I’m not.” I grab the cat when it walks too close to the water again. I feel my mom watching me, but I don’t look up and do the puzzle she’s clearly struggling with. There’s no way she did a thousand-piece puzzle.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“No.”
“But she’s a friend who’s a girl.”
“I suppose.”
“Hmm.”
I look up at her, and I can’t tell if she’s humming at me or the puzzle since her eyes are on two pieces that clearly don’t fit together.
“I suppose she’s your girlfriend.”
“She isn’t, but you can suppose what you’d like.” The cat walks off to the water again, and I scoop it up before bringing it to eye level. “I will let youdrown,” I whisper to it before planting it in my lap, and as if he understood me, he stays put.
“Do you like her?”I like sleeping next to her.I open my mouth but immediately close it again because even if she isn’t going to remember this, I shouldn’t say that. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Don’t.”
“Well, does Shanti like her?”
I go to tell her that they haven’t met and aren’t going to, but I think about her question. I think my sister would’ve loved Sage. She loved everyone, but Sage would’ve been good with her. She’s kind and soft. She laughs easily, and Shanti liked making people laugh, but most of all, she’s pure.
That woman could probably find the good in evil people, and her smile could make them want to be better while her tears would stop them from ever causing harm.
Sage is full of so much life, it would’ve been a lot to have them both in the same place. No room would’ve been big enough to contain the energy of the two of them, but it’s a room I’d want to be in all the time if my sister was there.
I don’t answer her, and she doesn’t ask about Sage again as we complete the puzzle, but she’s on the front of my mind the entire time, and I don’t know how to feel about that.
Chapter Nineteen
Sage
Ipull my phone awayfrom my ear when I hear another call coming through, and my jaw slightly drops as Angie goes on. “Was there anything else—”
“No, that was all! Thank you, Angie! Vincent is calling. I’ll callrightback!” I hang up to answer Vincent’s call. “Hey, Mr. Moore.”
“Sage, how are you?”
I look around the room; although I’m alone, but I have no clue why he’s calling me.
“I’m good, how are you?”
“I’ve been better. I’m not sure if you know, but I’m having a show at the end of next month, and there’s been some hiccups.”
I tell him I’m sorry to hear that before he goes on.
“I’m working on the last few pieces and tying up some loose ends with models. I had castings last week and was surprised you weren’t there.” His voice is accusing, and I feel like I’m in trouble, although I’m not sure why because I’m certainly not obligated to go to all of his castings, but I definitely wanted to be at the one he had last week.
“My agent was trying to get me a spot, but when she called, someone told her it was a private casting for certain models.”
“Did Angelica tell them it was you calling?”
I tell him she didn’t get the chance, and I can hear the mood change in his voice. Angie was also pissed when they hung up on her before she could even tell them who she was calling for.
